How to Convert DOCX to PDF Online: Complete Guide

Need a polished PDF from a Word file? This guide shows how to convert DOCX to PDF online with layout preserved: fonts, images, headers/footers, and page breaks. You’ll learn the exact steps, recommended settings for print vs. screen, and how to fix common issues like missing fonts, shifted tables, or oversized output. We’ll use FileConvertLab’s Word to PDF tool so you can complete the task in your browser.

DOCX to PDF online: quick start

1. Open Word (DOCX) to PDF on FileConvertLab.
2. Upload your .docx file. For best results, use the original document.
3. Select “Standard” for screen reading or “Print” for high‑quality output.
4. Download the PDF and verify headers, footers, and page breaks.

Settings that preserve formatting

1) Fonts

If your document uses custom fonts, install them where you generate the PDF, or enable font embedding in Word before saving the DOCX. When converting online, FileConvertLab respects font metrics to keep line breaks stable. If a font substitution occurs, pick a close alternative and reflow affected pages.

2) Images and charts

Prefer PNG for line art and JPEG for photos. Large images inflate the final PDF; compress oversized pictures in the DOCX first or post‑process the final PDF with Compress PDF.

3) Page size and margins

Make sure the document page size matches your target (A4 vs. Letter). Mismatched sizes cause unexpected page breaks. Set margins and header/footer positions in Word before conversion for predictable output.

Step‑by‑step for specific scenarios

A) Create a lightweight PDF for email

1. Remove unused slides/pages and hidden content.
2. Compress large images inside Word (Picture Format → Compress Pictures).
3. Convert DOCX to PDF with “Standard” quality.
4. If still heavy, run Compress PDF.

B) Prepare a print‑ready PDF

1. Set page size (A4/Letter), margins, and bleed if applicable.
2. Use high‑resolution images (300 DPI) for photos and logos.
3. Enable “Print” quality and verify that fonts render sharply in the PDF.

C) Preserve clickable links and bookmarks

1. Ensure links in Word use full URLs or valid internal anchors.
2. Convert to PDF and test links in a viewer at 100% zoom.

Troubleshooting

Missing or substituted fonts

1. Install the original font or choose a metrics‑compatible alternative.
2. Recheck line breaks and adjust paragraph spacing if needed.

Images look soft

1. Use higher‑resolution originals; avoid screenshots for print.
2. Export again with “Print” quality and avoid extra recompression.

Unexpected page breaks

1. Match page size (A4/Letter) and margins in Word to your target.
2. Disable “Widow/Orphan control” where it moves lines unexpectedly.

Examples

Case 1: Proposal with custom fonts

• Install the brand fonts locally, then convert to PDF.
• Verify headings and line breaks match the DOCX.

Case 2: Report with many photos

• Compress images in Word to 200–220 DPI for screen.
• Export to PDF, then use Compress PDF if needed.

Advanced tips

• For interactive PDFs, rebuild forms in a PDF editor after export; Word forms convert as static content.
• Keep hyperlinks clear and avoid overlapping shapes on top of link text.
• For long documents, add a table of contents before export; it remains clickable in most viewers.

RTF to DOCX

Upgrade legacy RTF files to modern Word format with RTF to DOCX conversion. This preserves formatting and makes documents compatible with current versions of Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other modern word processors. Use this when archiving old documents or when you need access to DOCX-specific features.

RTF to ODT

Convert RTF to ODT to modernize legacy documents for use in LibreOffice or OpenOffice. This conversion maintains formatting while moving to an open standard format that's well-supported across platforms.

RTF to TXT

Extract plain text from RTF documents using RTF to TXT conversion. This removes all formatting codes and leaves only the text content, useful for data extraction or when working with plain text tools.

Conclusion

To convert DOCX to PDF online with consistent formatting, match page size, keep fonts available, and choose the right quality for your target. Check links, headers/footers, and images, then compress only if file size is an issue. When you’re ready, try FileConvertLab to convert your files: Word to PDF.

ODT to DOCX

Convert ODT to DOCX when sharing documents with Microsoft Word users or when you need DOCX-specific features. This conversion preserves formatting, styles, tables, and images, making ODT documents fully compatible with Microsoft Office.

ODT to RTF

Use ODT to RTF for maximum compatibility with older systems or when you need a format that's readable by virtually any word processor. RTF maintains basic formatting while ensuring broad compatibility.

ODT to TXT

Extract text content from ODT files with ODT to TXT conversion. This removes all formatting and embedded objects, leaving only the text content.

Plain text conversions (TXT)

Plain text files contain no formatting, making them ideal for data processing, code, or simple content. Converting TXT to formatted documents adds structure and styling.

TXT to DOCX

Convert TXT to DOCX to create formatted Word documents from plain text. This is useful when importing content from text editors, code files, or data exports into a word processor for formatting and styling.

TXT to RTF

Use TXT to RTF to add basic formatting capabilities to plain text files. RTF provides a good middle ground between plain text and fully-featured formats.

Preserving formatting during conversion

Formatting preservation varies by conversion path. Modern formats (DOCX, ODT) maintain the most formatting elements, while RTF preserves basic styling, and TXT removes everything. Here's what to expect:

• DOCX ↔ ODT: Preserves fonts, styles, paragraphs, tables, images, and basic formatting. Complex elements like advanced tables and embedded objects may need adjustment.
• DOCX ↔ RTF: Maintains fonts, colors, bold, italics, paragraph alignment, and basic tables. Advanced features like styles, complex formatting, and embedded objects may be simplified.
• Any format → TXT: Removes all formatting, images, and embedded objects. Only plain text content remains.
• TXT → Formatted formats: Creates documents with default formatting. You'll need to manually apply styles and formatting after conversion.

Practical conversion scenarios

Migrating from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice

When switching to LibreOffice or OpenOffice, convert your DOCX files to ODT format. Use DOCX to ODT for each document. Review converted files to ensure formatting is preserved, especially for complex documents with advanced tables, styles, or embedded objects. Most standard documents convert seamlessly.

Upgrading legacy RTF documents

Modernize old RTF files by converting them to DOCX using RTF to DOCX . This makes documents compatible with current software and preserves them in a modern, well-supported format. After conversion, review formatting and update styles as needed.

Sharing documents across different platforms

When you need maximum compatibility, RTF is often the best choice. Convert DOCX or ODT files to RTF using DOCX to RTF or ODT to RTF to ensure recipients can open documents regardless of their software. RTF works with virtually any word processor from the past 30 years.

Extracting text for data processing

When you need to extract text content for analysis, import into databases, or process with text tools, convert any format to TXT. Use DOCX to TXT, RTF to TXT, or ODT to TXT to get plain text without formatting codes or embedded objects.

Tips for best conversion results

• Start with clean documents: Remove unnecessary formatting, fix broken styles, and clean up the document before conversion for better results.
• Review after conversion: Always check converted documents to ensure formatting, tables, and images are preserved correctly.
• Use appropriate formats: Choose DOCX for modern Word compatibility, ODT for open-source suites, RTF for maximum compatibility, and TXT when formatting isn't needed.
• Handle complex elements separately: Advanced tables, embedded charts, and complex formatting may need manual adjustment after conversion.
• Preserve originals: Keep backup copies of original files before converting, especially when working with important documents.

Office to PDF conversion

While this guide focuses on conversions between Office formats, you can also convert Office documents to PDF for sharing and archiving. Use Word to PDF, Excel to PDF, and PowerPoint to PDF to create PDFs from Office documents. For detailed information about PDF conversions, see our PDF conversion guide.

Frequently asked questions

Will macros and VBA code be preserved?

No, macros and VBA code are not preserved when converting between document formats. These are format-specific features that don't translate across different file types. You'll need to recreate macros in the target format if needed.

Can I convert password-protected documents?

Password-protected documents need to be unlocked before conversion. Remove password protection in the original application, then convert the document using our tools.

What about embedded images and objects?

Images embedded in documents are generally preserved when converting between DOCX, ODT, and RTF formats. However, complex embedded objects like Excel charts or PowerPoint slides may be converted to static images or may need manual adjustment after conversion.

How do I handle documents with multiple languages?

Multi-language documents convert well between modern formats (DOCX, ODT). Font support may vary, so ensure the target application has fonts for all languages used. RTF generally handles multiple languages, while TXT conversion preserves text but removes language-specific formatting.

Are there file size limits?

Our conversion tools handle documents of various sizes. Very large documents (hundreds of pages or with many embedded images) may take longer to process. For best results, consider splitting extremely large documents or optimizing embedded images before conversion.

Privacy and security

All conversions are processed securely with encrypted connections. Files are handled with care and processed on our secure infrastructure. We prioritize your privacy and ensure documents are processed safely throughout the conversion process.

Next steps

Ready to convert your Office documents? Visit our Office conversion tools to get started. Whether you need to convert DOCX to ODT for LibreOffice compatibility, upgrade RTF files to modern DOCX, or extract text from formatted documents, our tools provide fast, reliable conversions that preserve formatting and ensure compatibility across different office suites.

For converting Office documents to PDF, see our PDF conversion guide . If you're working with scanned documents, check out OCR Essentials to learn how to make scanned documents searchable and editable.